Castillo, Emerson
Emerson Castillo is a Global Missionary with the General Board of Global Ministries of the United Methodist Church. He is a member of the Evangelical Methodist Church in Ahuachapán, Central America. His missionary assignment in the MCCA – Panama-Costa Rica District Conference is in congregational development.
“I was born into a Christian home and from my childhood I was guided toward church life,” Emerson recalled. “As a result, I grew up and became involved in church service. I participated in Sunday school where I was later given the opportunity to give reflections and [teach] some classes. Then I was part of the youth group where I began to have a closer and more committed relationship with God. It was there that I received the call to serve with youth at the local level, then at the national level, where I had the opportunity to be part of a missionary training. This led me to begin to feel and wonder within myself: What is God wanting me to know?”
Emerson was elected continental coordinator of the Youth in Mission ministry of the Council of Evangelical Methodist Churches of Latin America and the Caribbean (CIEMAL). He received his first pastoral appointment in the Methodist Church in Central America.
“It was there that God was answering my questions about my ministry and the mission,” Emerson said. “As a pastor, I have had the opportunity to work with children, youth and adults. I have loved and enjoyed every step of it. I believe that every opportunity to serve in my life – and even every storm within them – has been God molding me and keeping me for his purpose.
“I’m excited to know that there are still many things God has yet to do, and that through his mercy, I can be a part of it; not only as a spectator but also as a doer. This also challenges me with humility to continue learning so I can continue to have something to give,” he added.
Emerson loves studying the Bible. His guiding passages are Matthew 9:37-38 and 28:19-20, Jeremiah 1:5 and John 3:16.
“I believe that having the opportunity to open the Bible and see God’s mission captured in it through everything, but especially in the person of Jesus – seeing what he did and what he asks us to do – inspired and awakened that desire in me,” Emerson said.
Emerson participated in missionary events with CIEMAL’s Youth on Mission ministry in several Latin American countries. He was connected through missionary training in Central America, under the Global Justice Volunteer program.
“The guidance of Bishop Juan de Dios, fellow bishops and other pastors who have contributed to my life have been important in all of this,” Emerson said. “This has helped me see clearly and make decisions regarding the direction of the ministry.”
He credits his family with encouraging and nurturing his faith.
“My father is a pastor, and my paternal uncles were also pastors,” Emerson said. “My parents’ guidance and love for God and us have been fundamental in helping me discover my calling and serve with passion. My mother, despite her age, continues to support my ministry with great love. My cousin Adela, who is a pastor, has been an important support during both difficult and joyful times.
My sister, nephews, uncles, aunts, grandparents, and brothers and sisters in Christ, have all been part of my ministerial life.”